2013 Seat Leon 5D airbag off

42Airbag system
The special design of the airbag allows the controlled escape of the propel-
lant gas when an occupant puts pressure on the bag. Thus, the head and
chest are surrounded and protected by the airbag. 
Safety notes on the operation of the side airbag system
If airbags are used correctly, they can considerably reduce
the risk of injury in side impact collisions.
WARNING
● If you do not wear a seat belt, if you lean forward, or are not seated
correctly while the vehicle is in motion, you are at a greater risk of injury
if the side airbag system is triggered in an accident.
● In order for the side airbags to provide their maximum protection, the
prescribed sitting position must always be maintained with seat belts
fastened while travelling.
● Occupants of the outer seats must never carry any objects or pets in
the deployment space between them and the airbags, or allow children
or other passengers to travel in this position. It is also important not to
attach any accessories (such as cup holders) to the doors. This would im-
pair the protection offered by the side airbags.
● The built-in coat hooks should be used only for lightweight clothing.
Do not leave any heavy or sharp-edged objects in the pockets.
● Great forces, such as hard blows or kicks, must not be exerted upon
the backrest bolster because the system may be damaged. In this case,
the side airbags would not be triggered.
WARNING (Continued)
● Under no circumstances should protective covers be fitted over seats
with side airbags unless the covers have been approved for use in your
vehicle. Because the airbag deploys from the side of the backrest, the
use of conventional seat covers would obstruct the side airbag, seriously
reducing the airbag's effectiveness.
● Any damage to the original seat upholstery or around the seams of
the side airbag units must be repaired immediately by a specialised
workshop.
● The airbags provide protection for just one accident; replace them
once they have deployed.
● When children assume an incorrect sitting position, they expose
themselves to an increased risk of injury in the event of an accident. This
is particularly the case if the child is travelling on the front passenger
seat and the airbag system is triggered in an accident; this could have
critical consequences including serious injury or death ⇒ page 48.
● Any work on the side airbag system or removal and installation of the
airbag components for other repairs (such as removal of the front seat)
should only be performed by a specialised workshop. Otherwise, faults
may occur during the airbag system operation.
● Do not attempt to modify components of the airbag system in any
way.
● The side and head airbags are managed through sensors located in
the interior of the front doors. To ensure the correct operation of the side
and head airbags neither the doors nor the door panels should be modi-
fied in any way (e.g. fitting loudspeakers). If the front door is damaged,
the airbag system may not work correctly. All work carried out on the
front door must be done in a specialised workshop.


43
Airbag system
Curtain airbags
Description of curtain airbags
The airbag system is not a substitute for the seat belts.
Fig. 27 Location of curtain airbags The curtain airbags are located on both sides in the interior above the doors
⇒ Fig. 27 and are identified with the text “AIRBAG”.
In conjunction with the seat belts, the curtain airbag system gives the vehi-
cle occupants additional protection for the head and upper body in the
event of a severe side collision ⇒ page 44, Safety notes on the operation
of the curtain airbag system.
The airbag system is not a substitute for seat belts, but it is an integral part
of the vehicle's overall passive safety system. Please bear in mind that the
airbag system can only work effectively when the vehicle occupants are
wearing their seat belts correctly and have adjusted the head restraints
properly. Therefore, it is most important to wear the seat belts at all times, not only because this is required by law in most countries, but also for your
safety
⇒ page 20, Brief introduction.
The main parts of the curtain airbag system are:
● an electronic control and monitoring system (control unit)
● the curtain airbags (airbags with gas generator) for the driver, front pas-
senger and passengers on the rear seats
● a control lamp  in the dash panel
The airbag system operation is monitored electronically.
The curtain airbag system will not be triggered if:
● the ignition is switched off
● there is a frontal collision
● there is a rear-end collision
● the vehicle turns over
● there is a minor side collision
WARNING
If a fault has occurred in the airbag system, have the system checked im-
mediately by a specialised workshop. Otherwise there is a danger that
during a collision, the system may fail to trigger, or not trigger correctly.

Operation of curtain airbags
Fully inflated airbags reduce the risk of head or chest injury
in a side collision. During some side collisions the curtain airbag is triggered on the impact
side of the vehicle ⇒ Fig. 27. 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

46Airbag system
Front passenger front airbag switch
Fig. 28 Front passenger
front airbag switch
Fig. 29 Warning lamp for
disabling the front pas-
senger airbag
The switch disables only the front passenger front airbag.
Disabling the airbag
– Switch the ignition off. –
Open the glove compartment on the front passenger side.
– Insert the key into the slot of the switch for deactivating the
front passenger airbag ⇒ Fig. 28. About 3/4 of the key should
enter, as far as it will go.
– Then turn the key gently to the OFF position. Do not force it if
you feel resistance, and make sure you have inserted the key
fully.
– Check, with the ignition switched on, that the control lamp
lights up   ⇒ Fig. 29 with the word      in
the centre part of the dash panel.
Switching on the airbag
– Switch the ignition off.
– Insert the key into the slot of the switch for deactivating the
front passenger airbag ⇒ Fig. 28. About 3/4 of the key should
enter, as far as it will go.
– Then turn the key gently to the ON position. Do not force it if you
feel resistance, and make sure you have inserted the key fully.
– Close the passenger side storage compartment.
– Check, with the ignition switched on, that the control lamp 
 ⇒ Fig. 29 does not light up, with the word    
 in the centre part of the dash panel.
– The warning lamp   is illuminated for 60 seconds in the cen-
tre part of the dash panel. 

47
Airbag system
Control lamp with the word      (front passenger airbag
disabled)
If the front passenger front airbag is disabled, after switching on the igni-
tion, the control lamp will light up for several seconds, then it will switch off
for about 1 s and then switch on again.
If the control lamp is flashing, there is a fault in the disabling of the airbag
system ⇒ 
. Please go immediately to an Official Service.
WARNING
● The driver of the vehicle is responsible for disabling or switching on
the airbag.
● Always switch off the ignition before disabling the front passenger
airbag! Failure to do so could result in a fault in the airbag deactivation
system.
● Never leave the key in the airbag deactivation switch as it could get
damaged or activate or deactivate the airbag during driving.
● If the control lamp   (airbag deactivated) flashes, the front pas-
senger front airbag will not trigger in the event of an accident! Have the
system immediately checked by an Official Service.

Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

59
Controls and displays
Operating instructions Controls and displays
Overview
Door handle
Central locking switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Electric control to adjust exterior mirrors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Air outlets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Control lever for:
– Turn signals and main beam headlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
– Lane Assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
– Main beam assist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
– Cruise control system (CCS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Depending on equipment fitted:
– Lever for cruise control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Steering wheel with horn and
– Driver airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
– On-board computer controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
– Controls for radio, telephone, navigation and speech dia-
logue system ⇒  Booklet Radio
– Paddle levers for tiptronic gearshift (automatic gearbox) . .178
Instrument panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Control lever for:
– Windscreen wipers and washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
– Wipe and wash system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
– On-board computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
12345
6
7
89
Depending on equipment fitted: Radio or display for Easy
Connect (navigation, radio, TV/video)
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Depending on the equipment, buttons for:
– SEAT driving modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
– Start-Stop system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
– Park assist system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
– Hazard warning lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
– Airbag off display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Glove box with (depending on equipment): . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134
– CD player* and/or SD card* ⇒  Booklet Radio
– Multimedia interface* ⇒  Booklet Radio
Tyre pressure switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Front passenger airbag switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Front passenger airbag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Passenger seat heating control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Storage compartment
Depending on gearbox fitted, gear lever or selector lever for:
– manual gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
– automatic gearbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Depending on the equipment, controls for:
– Heating and ventilation system or manual air conditioner .158, 157
– Automatic air conditioner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Parking brake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Driver seat heating control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
10
11
12
131415161718
19
2021
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

71
Instruments and warning/control lamps
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See
On the instrument panel display: a)
Level of windscreen washer fluid too low.⇒ page 120
Fuel tank almost empty.⇒ page 248

Flashing on the instrument panel display: a)
Fault in the oil level detection. Control manual-
ly.
⇒ page 253Lit up on the instrument panel display: a)
Engine oil level insufficient.
Fault in airbag system and seat belt tensioners.
⇒ page 31OFF Front passenger front airbag is off ( PASSENGER
AIRBAG  ).
ON Front passenger front airbag is on ( PASSENGER
AIRBAG  ).
Lane Assist is switched on, but not active.⇒ page 207
On the instrument panel display: a)
Fault in the gearbox.⇒ page 182
a) Colour presentation on instrument panel with colour display.
Other control lamps
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See

Left or right turn signal.⇒ page 109
Hazard warning lights on.⇒ page 113
Trailer turn signals⇒ page 234
SymbolMeaning ⇒ See

lights: Press the foot brake!
flashes: The selector lever locking button has
not engaged.⇒ page 173
The vehicle is stopped by engine braking.

lights: Cruise control operating.
⇒ page 184lights: Speed limiter switched on and active.flashes: The speed set by the speed limiter has
been exceeded.
Lane Assist is switched on and active.⇒ page 207
Main beam on or flasher on.⇒ page 109
On the instrument panel display:
Light Assist switched on.
On the instrument panel display:
Immobiliser active.
On the instrument panel display:
Service interval display.⇒ page 65

On the instrument panel display:
Mobile telephone is connected via Bluetooth to
the original telephone device.
⇒ Book-
let Bluetooth
System

On the instrument panel display:
Mobile telephone battery charge meter. Availa-
ble only for pre-installed factory-fitted devices.

On the instrument panel display:
Ice warning. The outside temperature is lower
than +4 °C (+39 °F).⇒ page 64 
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

87
Opening and closing
Opening and closing Central locking system
Description
The vehicle can be locked and unlocked via the central locking system.
There are several methods, depending on the vehicle equipment:
● key with remote control ⇒ page 92,
● lock on driver door (emergency opening ⇒ page 98) or
● interior central locking switch ⇒ page 94.
Unlocking one side of the vehicle only
When you lock the vehicle with the key, the doors and the rear lid are
locked. When you open the door, you can either unlock only the driver door,
or all the vehicle doors. To select the required option, use Easy Connect*
⇒ page 93.
Central locking (Auto Lock)
The Auto Lock function locks the doors and the rear lid when the vehicle ex-
ceeds a speed of about 15 km/h (10 mph).
The vehicle is unlocked again when the ignition key is removed. Alternative-
ly, the vehicle can also be unlocked via the central locking switch or by pull-
ing one of the inside door handles. The Auto Lock function can be switched
on and off on the sound system or on the Easy Connect* system
⇒ page 93.
In the event of an accident in which the airbags inflate, the doors will be au-
tomatically unlocked to facilitate access and assistance. Anti-theft security system (Safelock)
1)
The following message is displayed on the instrument panel to remind the
driver that when the vehicle is closed from the outside, the anti-theft securi-
ty system is switched on.  Do not forget the Safelock. Please see Instruction
Manual. The vehicle cannot be opened from inside. This makes it more diffi-
cult for unauthorised persons to break into the vehicle ⇒ .
The anti-theft security system can be switched off each time the vehicle is
locked:
● Turn the key a second time to the lock position, in the door lock, for the
next two seconds . If necessary, remove the protective cover on the driver
door handle ⇒ page 98. or
● Press 
on the remote control key for a second time
for the following 2
seconds.
The flashing frequency of the diode in the door sill immediately confirms
the process. Initially, the diode flashes in a fast sequence for a brief period,
then it stops for approximately 30 seconds and, lastly continues flashing
slowly.
Anti-theft alarm system*
If the anti-theft alarm system senses interference with the vehicle it triggers
an audible and visible alarm.
The anti-theft alarm system is automatically switched on when locking the
vehicle. It switches off when the vehicle is unlocked from a distance.
When the driver door is unlocked with the key, you should switch on the ig-
nition within 15 seconds. Otherwise the alarm will be triggered. On some
export versions, the alarm is triggered immediately when you open a door. 
1)
The availability of this function depends on the vehicle equipment.
Safety FirstOperating instructionsPractical TipsTechnical specifications

94Opening and closing
Central locking switch
Fig. 52 Driver door: cen-
tral locking switch
– To lock the vehicle, press the 
button ⇒ .
– To unlock the vehicle, press the 
button ⇒ Fig. 52.
Please note the following when using the central locking switch to lock your
vehicle:
● It is not possible to open the doors or the rear lid from the outside (for
safety reasons, e.g. when stopped at traffic lights).
● The LED in the central locking switch lights up when all the doors are
closed and locked.
● You can open the doors individually from the inside by pulling the inside
door handle.
● In the event of an accident in which the airbags inflate, doors locked
from the inside will be automatically unlocked to facilitate access and assis-
tance.
WARNING
● The central locking switch also operates when the ignition is switch-
ed off and automatically locks all the vehicle doors when the button 
is
pressed.
● The central locking switch does not operate if the vehicle is locked
from the outside and the anti-theft security system is switched on.
● Locked doors could delay assistance in an emergency, potentially
putting lives at risk. Do not leave anyone (especially children) in the vehi-
cle.
Note
The doors and the tailgate are locked automatically when the vehicle rea-
ches a speed of about 15 km/h (Auto Lock) ⇒  page 87. You can unlock the
vehicle again using button 
on the central locking switch. 